Leading article: A fine policy - parking tickets work

The House of Commons Transport Committee's report on parking regulations was always likely to provoke a response out of all proportion to the importance of the issue itself. Few things tend to annoy drivers more than restrictions on where they can leave their vehicles. And nothing is guaranteed to provoke the wrath of a motorist quicker than receiving a ticket.

Many drivers will, therefore, feel a glow of vindication on reading the committee's report. The present system of parking restrictions around the country is labelled as "inconsistent and confused". This is, we are told, because parking regulation enforcement is handled by the police in some areas; but by local councils in others.

The main recommendation is for a single system of enforcement across the country. The report also criticises parking-restriction signs for being "unclear" and wardens for being "undertrained". Motoring lobby groups have already begun to demand action from the Government. The campaign for a restriction on the powers of town hall bureaucrats has shifted up a gear.

It is doubtless true that some councils need to be brought into line. Some flexibility and sensitivity needs to be displayed along with all the yellow lines. There has been an unjustified increase in the number of restricted parking zones, especially in residential areas. And there is no excuse for the frequency with which some councils fail to contest appeals; this is not only a waste of time and money, but also adds to suspicions that parking fines are used as a quick way of topping up revenue. This erodes trust in the impartiality of the system. For the same reason, an incentive scheme for traffic wardens based on the number of tickets issued is clearly inappropriate. But the Government should not bend over backwards to please the motoring lobby. Many of the complaints against traffic wardens and parking restrictions merely reflect the arrogant assumption held by many car drivers that they have a right to park anywhere they choose.

Tough restrictions on parking are quite reasonable in principle. Councils have a duty to balance the convenience of drivers with the quality of life for everyone else on the streets. Councils are entitled to use parking charges as a means of discouraging car use in city centres. And, as the report points out, bad parking causes delays to public transport and a danger to pedestrians. Stringent financial penalties are entirely justified for such antisocial behaviour.

The system should be professionally and impartially run. But tough restrictions are still necessary. And those who break the law should expect a hefty fine - and stop whingeing.